Caspian Gull in Foxton

Not found by me, and only seen very briefly, but a first winter Caspian Gull in the temporary pools. Also nine Waxwings.

Med’ Gull in Foxton

Eventually went for our family Christmas walk on a sunny morning. Wicken Fen. Very nice, but not too many birds. Best sighting was a Hen Harrier at Burwell on the way back.

Then drove around the flooded fields in the village looking for Gulls. The best spot appeared to be between Foxton and Barrington. It proved superb. Three Yellow-legged Gulls (an adult and a third winter), and a single Great Black-backed Gull (a rarity in Foxton). These were amongst around thirty each of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Common Gulls, and several hundred Black-headed Gulls. There were also four Moorhens, six Grey Partridges, and five Grey Herons.

Then, at about 3:40, I found a first winter Mediterranean Gull. A first for me in Foxton. A great day!

Great Grey Shrike

After the rain eventually stopped, mid-afternoon, I went with Tom to Therfield to look for the Great Grey Shrike. We were successful (found by Tom) and also saw a Red Kite and two Barn Owls. An enjoyable couple of hours.

Fowlmere and Shepreth L-moor

 

Very quiet. Took a photo of a bored Grey Heron. That’s it! Went home when it started raining hard.

Fowlmere

A very quick walk around to get some fresh air. No birds, but lovely light.

Fowlmere
25 December 2012 12:09 - 12:41
Overcast 8C 12S
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Linnet, Magpie, Moorhen, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Water Rail, Treecreeper, Great Tit, Bullfinch, Mistle Thrush, Fallow Deer

Richardson’s Canada Goose

Went to Norfolk for the Richardson’s Canada Goose (Cackling Goose - Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii). It had been ranging between Blakeney and Kelling and quite difficult to connect with. However, it had been seen at Kelling in the morning and so with a free afternoon I decided to gamble. Upon arrival I was unsure of the best path to take so asked a dog-walker with binoculars. He showed me the path but explained that it was pointless walking down there if I was after the goose as it had been missing for hours. With only a couple of hours light left, I decided to get back in the car and drive to Cley to see if had been reported there. However, driving past Salthouse, I noticed a flock of about fifty Canada Geese. Although it had never been reported there before, I decided I may as well pull over and give the flock a scan. And there it was!

I watched it for the best part of an hour and then went for a walk around Salthouse. This produced a flock of about thirty Snow Buntings and a female Common Scoter at sea.

An excellent afternoon!

Fowlmere

Heavy rain for 24 hours. Needed to get out though so popped to Fowlmere for a while. As expected, it was very quiet although a Cetti’s Warbler was heard, the first for some time. I pulled over along Fowlmere Road on the way back and could hear Waxwings in the bushes but they were the other side and out of view.

Fowlmere

Didn’t get a lunch-break so took a walk around Fowlmere at dusk. Went via the Fowlmere Road Waxwings (27) which was fortunate as there wasn’t a lot to see at Fowlmere apart from four Gadwall.

Fowlmere

No sign of the Waxwings along Fowlmere Road on two short visits, but they were reported. So went to a typically quiet Fowlmere. A Kingfisher performed well at dusk but it was too dark for any meaningful photography.

Yet more Waxwing photos

Popped to Fowlmere Road with the boys for half an hour to take some photos of the Waxwing as it was the first day for ages with good light.

Hornemann’s Arctic Redpoll

Got to see the hornemanni Arctic Redpoll at Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Great little bird. Amazing views of it on the beach when I arrived and continued to perform for twenty minutes or so before it flew into the marsh.

Didn’t stay as views were exceptional. Had my lunch  on the beach in the sun watching the Black-headed Gulls and then drove back home to get on with some work.

There were also 26 Waxwings at the “McDonalds” in Whittlesford so I stopped to have a quick look. Was still thick fog inland.

Then found the Fowlmere Road ones whilst driving into Foxton (about 40).

Several Fieldfares were feeding on the lawn with Blackbirds. Took a very poor picture through a dirty window and thick fog!

Waxwings in Foxton!

A few photos from the fifty-plus Waxwings along Fowlmere Road.

Several Fieldfares were in the garden with the numerous Blackbirds. Fowlmere was quiet.

Waxwings in Foxton!

About 40 Waxwings along Fowlmere Road and then later near Foxton Woods. There were some (same birds?) also reported at Fowlmere, but not seen by me unfortunately.

Yet More Thrushes

Still no proper birding, so a really dull video of some garden Thrushes, mostly , but with a cameo performance by a Fieldfare.

Blackbirds

More Thrushes

Blackbirds, Redwings, and Fieldfares all feeding in the garden first thing, along with a whole load of other smaller birds such as Blue Tits and a Robin feeding on nuts and seeds put down to help them get through the cold snap that included overnight snow.

Garden Blackbirds

Very busy today and hardly had time to look out of the window, but Tom counted fifteen Blackbirds at any one time in the garden feeding on the apples.

Waxwings, Bittern, and Bearded Tits

A very quick walk around Fowlmere mid-morning produced some flyover Redpolls (not seen). Again, there were lots of Thrushes, including this first winter male Blackbird.

And a male Kingfisher showed nicely above the iced mere.

I needed to rush back to take Sam to Stevenage for football; on the way, I had a good view of a Waxwing feeding on some berry bushes by the side of the A505 near Baldock. A Red Kite was also in the vicinity, along with three Buzzards.

I took another walk around Fowlmere at dusk. Last thing was quite exciting with a Bittern, followed by a Barn Owl, followed by some (not seen) pinging Bearded Tits.

Fieldfare and other Thrushes

As a lot of work needs doing on the garden, I’ve left the apples below the tree. The garden is full of thrushes, particularly now the hard-whether has arrived, with double-figure counts of Blackbirds. The first Fieldfare of the year joined them today.

A very quick walk around Fowlmere mid-morning produced little, but Thrush numbers were high there too.

Outside!

Managed to get out after several weeks on crutches at home recovering from a torn calf-muscle. Fowlmere first for a very slow walk around around for a couple of hours, before a short walk at dusk at Shepreth. Similar story at both places. Lots of Thrushes (hundreds of Redwings at Fowlmere) but very few other passerines apart from Corvids.

Starlings

Time to leave Cornwall. Stopped off at the Hayle for a quick scan and added a few new birds to the Cornish list which ended at 74 species. Went to Truro for some lunch (nice city) and stopped at Ham Wall on the Somerset Levels to look at the Starling roost. Good numbers, but a touch disappointing as they just came in and went down without really performing. Two Great White Egrets were also seen. Then home!

St. Levan, Porthgwara, Cot Valley, and Mousehole

Went out with the kids for a few hours whilst Michelle took the bus to Penzance.

Started off at St. Levan. Quiet. No sign of the reported Richard’s Pipit or any of the reported Lapland Buntings. Took the coastal path to Porthgwara were we enjoyed a pastie. Still not many birds, but good fun, and Tom did a bit of sea-watching.

After Sam went Surfing at Sennen, we continued to the  Cot Valley for a final look for birds. Seemed very quiet for Passerines, though a Chough and a Peregrine were good to see. Finally managed to find something half decent on the beach: A Black Redstart.

Tom needed to get back to revise, so I spent the last half hour of light at Mousehole. Found a Firecrest; a good bird to end the trip

St. Levan, Porthgwara, and Nanquidno

Definitely chose the wrong day to spend a full day birding. Blowing a gale and pouring with rain! Started at the Minack Theatre car-park at Porthcurno and walked in to St. Levan. Just the usual stuff.

I then parked the car at the top of Porthgwara and did a long circuit. A flock of thirteen Greenland White-fronted Geese was a good find (my first ever in England). The Richard’s Pipit had again been reported on the moor. I don’t know how as I could hardly stand in the gale-force wind and torrential rain. Hardly saw a bird there, and to make it worse, the Pastie-shop was shut!

So on to Nanquidno. Where for a long time, I had not very much. Soaked (despite waterproofs) and cold I was about to give up, and just checking through a final flock of Goldcrests when a Chiffchaff emerged, followed by a Yellow-browed Warbler. Some reward for my efforts at last!

Marazion and Portgwarra

Went with the family to St. Michaels Mount in the morning followed by cricket on the beach and a decent lunch in the pub overlooking they bay. Seven Brent Geese were present. Then, spent half an hour or so at Marizion, never having been before; usual stuff; Cetti’s Warbler etc.

Then went with Tom for the last couple of hours of light to Porthgwara to try for the very elusive Richard’s Pipit. I had what I was sure was a large – non-calling – Pipit in flight (presumably the bird) but we could not re-find it. Fortunately a frustrating couple of hours was partially saved by a flyover Lapland Bunting last thing.

Mousehole, Pendeen, and Kenidjack

 

A late start to the day. Not because of my oversleeping, but because of the weather: Chucking it down. Got out mid-morning and just birded around the village. Then, after dropping the family in St. Ives, I birded Pendeen (including a sea-watch), and then Kenidjack. Nothing. All day! Lots of Blackbirds and Goldcrests promising something more exotic, but no. Scenery beautiful though, and had a good time trying.

Porthgwara and Lamorna Cove

Day one of a week’s break in a cottage in Mousehole, Cornwall, with the family. After a late night last night we all awoke late and went for a late morning walk at Porthgwara. A Richard’s Pipit was reported, but couldn’t be found, a female Merlin being the best bird for me.

We then went to Sennen Cove for a long Sunday lunch. A Rock Pipit and adult Mediterranean Gull were noted there.

Dropping the family off at Mousehole a couple of hours before dusk, I went to nearby Lamora Cove, a place where I’d never visited. A lovely setting but the drizzle turned into something of a downpour and I decided to retire to the pub in Mousehole instead.

Porthgwara
28 October 2012 11:05 - 13:05
Overcast with light showers 10C 12W
Robin, Wren, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Buzzard, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Shag, Rock Pipit, Gannet, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Merlin, Magpie

Lamorna Cove
28 October 2012 15:27 - 16:13
Heavy showers 10C 12W
Blackbird, Robin, Cormorant, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Jay, Herring Gull, Redwing, Sparrowhawk, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull, Rook, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Wren

Holme

Was sitting at home working when I got news from the BTO that radar had detected a huge arrival of birds overnight on the north Norfolk coast. Being my birthday I thought I’d take the day off and see what there was to see. I didn’t set out until 10am and needed to collect Michelle later, so decided to concentrate on the nearest bit of coast at Holme.

During my four hours I saw at least 500 Blackbirds, and good numbers of the other common Thrushes. Although I found no rarities, the best find being a female Ring Ouzel, it was a good way to spend the day, and I enjoyed a birthday lunch on the windswept beach on my own!

Starlings

A great display of over 500 Starlings performing at dusk, with a Sparrowhawk joining in at the end. Not a lot else except for a couple of Gadwall.

Barn Owls

Went with the family to a foggy Fowlmere at dusk to see the Barn Owls. Fortunately all three juveniles were perched outside the box, with the larger one flying away now and again. About two-hundred Starlings were roosting in the reeds around the mere.

Fowlmere

Two visits. Both quiet. A flock of about 300 Woodpigeons over, and a Shoveler being the “highlights”.

Fowlmere

No birds. Just a nice sunset. That’s all.

Amwell

Amwell was as quiet as it gets. A Yellow-legged Gull showed it's legs nicely out of the water, and a couple of Little Egrets, but otherwise pretty uninspiring.

Norfolk

Was in the area, so birded the east coast of Norfolk from Yarmouth to Waxham, from late morning until dusk. It was extremely quiet with no migrants at all apart from a couple of Redpolls that were probably migrants at Winterton. Highlights were several Red-throated Divers and a couple of Mediterranean Gulls.

Fowlmere

A nice male Stonechat was found by the horse paddocks early afternoon.

HB?

Arriving at Fowlmere on a pleasant afternoon, I decided to take the anti-clockwise route, and soon after crossing the small bridge over the Shep I noticed a raptor that I instantly thought was a Honey Buzzard. Views were appalling as I was looking directly into the sun, but I fired off a few shots which I tried to brighten later…

I sent the following message…

I think structurally it looks OK, though some images look more convincing than others. My first impression was that it wasn’t a Common Buzzard, hence the series of awful photos shot into the sun. I’ve tried to lighten them up to get some plumage features. If it is an HB, I would guess the lack of a dark trailing edge would make it a juv. and it appears to have dark secondaries, though what is shadow and what is plumage is hard to tell. – Toby

Anyway, also noted were 20+ Skylarks heading south, 13 Pied Wagtails on the mere, and the first Redwings (around about ten). Two Cetti’s Warblers were also singing simultaneously and an Barn Owl managed to catch five small rodents in the space of 45 minutes, returning the prey to the youngsters (of which there are apparently four). The wacky Water Rail was also photographed.

Edit (11/10/2012): After much discussion, it seems the bird is actually a juvenile Common Buzzard with a (very) long-looking tail. Head-shape seems to be the main problem with Honey Buzzard. See birdforum for some of the discussion.